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In another flap concerning worker pay during the new coronavirus pandemic, Kroger says it overpaid "a small number of associates," demanded repayment and has now decided to let the employees keep the extra money.

Kroger officials wouldn't say how many workers got extra pay or where they worked but said the employees in question were associates that were paid to stay home after falling ill with coronavirus symptoms, testing positive for COVID-19 virus or were otherwise quarantined.

"We’ve instructed our payroll department to directly inform the small number of associates affected by the recent overpayments of Emergency Leave of Absence pay that we will not seek repayment," a Kroger spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The about-face comes amid outrage on social media after images were posted of some harshly-worded collection letters that were sent to the employees in question – presumably, to some that were very ill or very concerned for their health at the time.

"Failure to repay the overpayment could result in further collection efforts," is bolded in a letter on Kroger stationary.

Kroger officials didn't exactly apologize, but when pressed by The Enquirer they acknowledged the latest incident was "an unfortunate payroll accounting error" and repeated they wouldn't seek repayment.

People are lined up at the Kroger in Blue Ash, Ohio just as the doors open 7 a.m. Due to high demand and the need for re-stocking and cleanliness, the chain has reduced hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2020.(Photo: Liz Dufour/The Enquirer)

For the latest on Kroger P&G, Fifth Third Bank and Cincinnati business, follow @alexcoolidge on Twitter.